Connector system

ABSTRACT

A portable computer is disclosed. The portable computer comprises a chassis and a connection system. The connection system has a plurality of different connector receptacles. The connection system is configured to swing relative to the chassis between an open position where the connector receptacles are exposed for use and, closed position where the connector receptacles are hidden and stored within the chassis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 7,458,830 filed Oct.31, 2007, a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 7,452,220 filed Oct. 31, 2007,which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,437, filed Apr. 17, 2007,which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 7,244,129, filed on Sep. 30,2005.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates generally to computers, and moreparticularly to a connection system.

BACKGROUND

Connection systems are well known and include electrical contacts thatenable devices to communicate with other devices. For example,connection systems may include Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports,FireWire ports, RJ-11 ports, and RJ-45 ports.

Mobile devices such as notebook computers are becoming increasinglythinner. As a result, connection systems need to be reduced in size toaccommodate smaller form factors. A problem when reducing the size of aconnection system is that the reduction is limited by the size of thelargest port. For example, RJ-45 ports are relatively large and thus maybe a challenge to accommodate.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A portable computer is disclosed. The portable computer comprises achassis and a connection system. The connection system has a pluralityof different connector receptacles. The connection system is configuredto swing relative to the chassis between an open position where theconnector receptacles are exposed for use and, closed position where theconnector receptacles are hidden and stored within the chassis.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features andadvantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and fromthe claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile device that is connected toanother device.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective-view diagrams of a mobile device, whichmay be used to implement the mobile device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective-view diagram of a connection system, which maybe used to implement the connection system of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are perspective-view diagrams of a conventional RJ-45port, a conventional USB port, and a conventional FireWire port, whichmay be used to implement the RJ-45, USB, and FireWire ports of FIG. 3,respectively.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective-view diagrams of a connection system,which may be used to implement the connection system of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective-view diagrams of a connection receptacleof FIGS. 7A and 7B, where the connection receptacle is in an openposition, and in a closed position, respectively.

FIG. 8C is a perspective-view diagram of a connection receptacle ofFIGS. 7A and 7B, in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a method of providing the connectionreceptacle of FIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective-view diagrams of a connectionreceptacle, which may be used in the implementation of the connectionsystem of FIG. 2, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are perspective-view diagrams of a connectionreceptacle, which may be used in the implementation of the connectionsystem of FIG. 2, in accordance with one embodiment.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to computers, and more particularly to aconnection system. The following description is presented to enable oneof ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and isprovided in the context of a patent application and its requirements.The present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodimentsshown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with theprinciples and features described herein.

A connection system is disclosed. The connection system includes aconnection receptacle that is implemented as two separate components.One of the components is fixed in that it is coupled to the chassis, andthe other component is rotatable or coupled to a moving mechanism. Thecombination of the fixed and rotating components are adapted to receivea plug when the connection receptacle is in an open position, and thefixed and rotating components are collapsed into a compact configurationwhen the connection receptacle is in a closed position. This collapsingfunction enables a substantial reduction in the size of the connectionsystem and thereby enables a substantial reduction in the form factor ofa device implementing the connection system. To more particularlydescribe the features of the present invention, refer now to thefollowing description in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

Although the present invention disclosed herein is described in thecontext of notebook computers, the present invention may apply to othertypes of devices, and still remain within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile device 50 that is connected toanother device 52, in accordance with the present invention. The mobiledevice 50 includes a connection system 60 that couples to an externalcable 62, which couples to a connection system 70 of the device 52.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective-view diagrams of a mobile device 100,which may be used to implement the mobile device 50 of FIG. 1, inaccordance with the present invention. The mobile device 100 includes aconnection system 110 that has a stowed or closed position (FIG. 2A) andan open position (FIG. 2B). When in an open position, the connectionsystem 110 is configured to couple one or more external cables (e.g.,the external cable 62 of FIG. 1) to an internal cable (not shown) and/ora printed circuit board (not shown).

FIG. 3 is a perspective-view diagram of a connection system 120, whichmay be used to implement the connection system 110 of FIG. 2, inaccordance with the present invention. The connection system 120includes multiple connector receptacles, or ports, such as an RJ-45 port122, a universal serial bus (USB) port 124, a FireWire port 126 etc.FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are perspective-view diagrams of a conventional RJ-45port 132, a conventional USB port 134, and a conventional FireWire port136, which may be used to implement the RJ-45, USB, and FireWire ports122, 124, and 126 of FIG. 3, respectively. The specific number of portsand the specific types of port will vary, depending on the specificimplementation. For example, another implementation may also include anRJ-11 port (not shown).

Referring again to FIG. 3, the ports maintain their original formwhether the connection system 120 is in an open or in a closed position.When the connection system 110 swings to the closed or stowed position(FIG. 2A), the ports (e.g., 122-126) also swing into a stowed positionsuch that they are flush with the mobile device chassis. Although thepresent invention disclosed herein is described in the context ofmultiple ports integrated into the connection system 120, the presentinvention may apply to other configurations, and still remain within thespirit and scope of the present invention. For example, each port (e.g.,the RJ-45 port 122) can be separate from other ports such that a singleport can be moved into open and closed positions independent from otherports.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective-view diagrams of a connection system140, which may be used to implement the connection system 110 of FIGS.2A and 2B, in accordance with the present invention. In accordance withthe present invention, the connection system 140 includes a connectorreceptacle 142 that is implemented as two separate components: a fixedcomponent 144 that is coupled to a portion of the mobile device chassis145 and a rotating component 146 that is coupled to a connection systemframe 148. In this specific embodiment, the connector receptacle 142 isimplemented as an RJ-45 port. The connector receptacle 142 is accessibleto a user when the connection system 140 is in an open position (FIG.7A) such that an external cable (i.e., a plug of a cable) may beinserted into the connector receptacle 142. The connector receptacle 142is in a closed or stowed position when the connection system 140 is in aclosed position. FIG. 7B shows the connector receptacle 142 in apartially closed position to show the movement of the rotating component146 relative to the fixed component 144. FIGS. 8A and 8B areperspective-view diagrams of the connection receptacle 142 of FIGS. 7Aand 7B, where the connection receptacle 142 is in an open position, andin a closed position, respectively, in accordance with the presentinvention.

As described above, although the present invention disclosed herein isdescribed in the context of multiple ports integrated into theconnection system 140, the present invention may apply to otherconfigurations, and still remain within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention. For example, each port (e.g., the RJ-45 port 142, aswell as the USB and FireWire ports described below) can be separate fromother ports such that a single port can be moved into open and closedpositions independent from other ports.

The fixed component 144 of the connector receptacle 142 houseselectrical contacts 150, which provide an interconnected electrical pathinto the mobile device, without any required service loop, since theelectrical component of the connector receptacle 142 is static. In analternative embodiment, the connector receptacle can be positioned suchthat the rotating component 146 houses the electrical contacts 150.

In accordance with the present invention, as the connection receptacle142 swings towards a closed position (FIG. 8B), the rotating component146 folds into the fixed component 144. More specifically, the rotatingcomponent 146 moves toward the fixed component 144 such that a cavity160, which is adaptable to receive a plug, contracts. As a result, whenthe connection receptacle 142 is in a closed position, the fixed androtating components 144 and 146 are collapsed into a compactconfiguration. Accordingly, the amount of space used by the connectorreceptacle 142 is substantially reduced.

In accordance with the present invention, as the connection receptacle142 swings towards an open position (FIG. 8A), the rotating component146 rotates away from the fixed component 144. More specifically, therotating component 146 moves away from the fixed component 144 such thatthe cavity 160 expands to a shape where the cavity 160 is adapted toreceive a plug. As a result, the fixed and rotating components 144 and146 are adapted/positioned to receive a plug when the connectionreceptacle 142 is in an open position.

While conventional connection systems often have hatches that cover orhide the ports, typically for cosmetic reasons, the connection systemhas a valuable function of stowing the connector receptacle 142 and anyother mounted ports. Because the fixed and rotating components 144 and146 of the connector receptacle 142 can collapse, less space inside themobile device chassis is required when the fixed and rotating components144 and 146 are in a stowed position. By minimizing the spacerequirements of the stowed position, larger ports such as standard RJ-45ports no longer limit the potential reduction in connection systems.Accordingly, this collapsing function enables a substantial reduction inthe size of the connection system and thereby enables a substantialreduction in the form factor of a device implementing the connectionsystem. For example, a notebook computer may have a highly taperedchassis shape.

Referring again to FIGS. 8A and 8B, to compensate for tolerance, therotating component 146 has side components 170 and 172 that continuouslyoverlap components of the fixed component 144. The side components 170and 172 function as guides to center the rotating component 146 relativeto the fixed component 144 as the rotating component 146 moves toward oraway from the fixed component 144. This ensures that the fixed androtating components 144 and 146 are properly aligned to receive a plug.The fixed component 144 is preferably not fully fastened until the sidecomponents 170 and 172 center the fixed component 144.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a method of providing the connectionreceptacle 142 of FIGS. 8A and 8B, in accordance with the presentinvention. Referring to FIGS. 9, 8A, and 8B, together, the processbegins in a step 202 where the connector receptacle 142 is provided. Theconnector receptacle 142 includes the fixed component 144 and therotating component 146. In a step 204, the fixed component 144 iscoupled to a mobile device chassis. In a step 206, the rotatingcomponent 146 is coupled to the connection system frame. Alternatively,the rotating component is movably coupled to the chassis. The steps 204and 206 are not order dependent. In a step 208, the fixed component 144and the rotating component 146 are positioned to receive a plug when theconnection receptacle 142 is in an open position. In a step 210, thefixed and rotating components 144 and 146 are collapsed into a compactconfiguration when the connection receptacle 142 is in a closedposition. The steps 208 and 210 are not order dependent.

In accordance with the present invention, the position of the fixed androtating components 144 and 146 relative to a pivot point 250 of theconnection receptacle 142 are such that when the connection receptacle142 is in a closed position (FIG. 8B), the rotating component 146 issubstantially parallel to exposed portions of the electrical contacts150 of the fixed component 144. This ensures that the electricalcontacts 150, being fragile, are not damaged by the rotating component146 when the connection receptacle 142 closes. The specific position ofthe pivot point 250 may vary and will depend on the specificimplementation. For example, the pivot point 250 may be positionedanywhere within the connector cavity 160 as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.Alternatively, the pivot point 250 may be positioned elsewhere outsideof the connector cavity 160. FIG. 8C is a perspective-view diagram of aconnection receptacle where the pivot point 250 is positioned outside ofthe connector cavity 160, in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention. In a specific embodiment, the connector system alsoincludes an integral rejection component for rejecting certain types ofplugs such as RJ-11 plugs.

Although the present invention disclosed herein is described in thecontext of an RJ-45 port, the present invention may apply to other typesof ports, and still remain within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. For example, the connector receptacle 142 described abovewould also apply to an RJ-11 port such that when the connectorreceptacle is in an open position, the connector receptacle isconfigured to receive an RJ-11 plug.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective-view diagrams of a connectionreceptacle 260, which may be used in the implementation of theconnection system 110 of FIG. 2, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate the connectionreceptacle 260 in an open position and in a closed position,respectively. The connection receptacle 260 functions similarly to theconnection receptacle 142 of FIGS. 7A to 9 except that connectionreceptacle 260 is applied to a USB port instead of an RJ-45 port. Also,in this specific embodiment, the connection receptacle 260 isimplemented as three separate components: a fixed component 262 that iscoupled to a portion of a mobile device chassis, an insulator post 264,and a rotating component 266 that is coupled to a connection systemframe. In one embodiment, the insulator post 264 is also coupled to themobile device chassis or alternately to the fixed component 262. Inanother embodiment, the insulator post 264 is coupled to the connectionsystem frame or alternatively to the rotating component 266. Theinsulator post 264 preferably floats as the first and second components262 and 266 move toward the compact configuration. Alternatively, theinsulator post 264 may also be in a fixed position as the fixed androtating components 262 and 266 move towards the compact configuration.Electrical contacts may be coupled to either the insulator post 264, thefixed component 262, or the rotating component 266.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are perspective-view diagrams of a connectionreceptacle 270, which may be used in the implementation of theconnection system 110 of FIG. 2, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate the connectionreceptacle 270 in an open position and in a closed position,respectively. The connection receptacle 270 functions similarly to theconnection receptacle 142 of FIGS. 7A to 9 except that connectionreceptacle 270 is applied to a FireWire port instead of an RJ-45 port.Also, in this specific embodiment, the connection receptacle 270 isimplemented as three separate components: a first component 272 that iscoupled to a portion of the mobile device chassis, an electrical post274 having electrical contacts 275, and a second component 276 that iscoupled to the connection system frame. In one embodiment, theelectrical post 274 is also coupled to the mobile device chassis oralternatively to the first component 272. In another embodiment, theelectrical post 274 is coupled to the connection system frame oralternatively to the second component 276. The electrical post 274preferably floats as the first and second components move toward thecompact configuration. The electrical post 274 may alternatively be in afixed position as the first and second components move toward thecompact configuration. If the electrical post 274 is fixed, both thefirst component 272 and the second component 276 preferable move towardthe electrical post 274 as the first and second components 274 and 276move toward the compact configuration. Alternatively, one of the firstand second components 274 and 276 may remain in a fixed position as thefirst and second components 274 and 276 move toward the compactconfiguration.

According to the system and method disclosed herein, the presentinvention provides numerous benefits. For example, the collapsingfunction of the connection receptacle enables a substantial reduction inthe size of a connection system and thereby enables a substantialreduction in the form factor of a device implementing the connectionsystem.

A connection system has been disclosed. The connection system includes aconnection receptacle that is implemented as two separate components.One of the components is fixed in that it is coupled to the chassis, andthe other component is rotatable. The combination of the fixed androtating components are adapted to receive a plug when the connectionreceptacle is in an open position, and the fixed and rotating componentsare collapsed into a compact configuration when the connectionreceptacle is in a closed position. This collapsing function enables asubstantial reduction in the size of the connection system and therebyenables a substantial reduction in the form factor of a deviceimplementing the connection system.

The present invention has been described in accordance with theembodiments shown. One of ordinary skill in the art will readilyrecognize that there could be variations to the embodiments, and thatany variations would be within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one ofordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

1. A portable computer, comprising: a chassis; and a connection system,the connection system having a plurality of different connectorreceptacles, the connection system being configured to swing relative tothe chassis between an open position where the connector receptacles areexposed for use and, a closed position where the connector receptaclesare hidden and stored within the chassis.
 2. The portable computer ofclaim 1 wherein the outer surface of the connection system being flushwith the outer surface of the chassis when the connection system is inthe closed position.
 3. The portable computer of claim 1 wherein theconnection system is disposed on a side between a top and bottom surfaceof the chassis.
 4. The portable computer of claim 1 wherein theconnection system is smaller than the length of the side in which it islocated.
 5. The portable computer of claim 1 wherein the connectorreceptacles maintain their original form in the open and closedpositions.
 6. The portable computer of claim 1 wherein the connectorreceptacle has different form in the open and closed positions.
 7. Theportable computer of claim 1 wherein the form of the connectorreceptacle changes as the connection system is moved between the openand closed positions.
 8. The portable computer of claim 1 wherein theconnection system has a curved outer surface.
 9. The portable computerof claim 1 wherein the chassis has a highly tapered shape and theconnection system has an outer shape that substantially matches theshape of the chassis.